Lincoln City officially came into existence in 1883, though it's claimed that organised football was played in the city from the 1860's onwards. Their early years were spent in local leagues until 1892, when they became one of the 12 founder members of the Second Divison. By 1895 the club had moved to the location of their current ground, Sincil Bank, and seven years later reached the giddy heights of fifth in the old Division Two (the equivalent of the Championship Division One now) - a finishing position that remains the Imps best to this day.

Not many people realise that automatic relegation out of the League's lowest division was commonplace in the early days of the Football League, and Lincoln were one of those clubs: they finished bottom of Division Two in 1908 and were relegated to the Midland Combination League. The Imps bounced back at the first attempt, winning the Midland League and re-entering the Football League, but a year later finished bottom of Division Two again and once more were relegated, this time to the newly formed Central League. Again the Imps bounced straight back to Division Two the following season, winning the Central League at the first attempt.

The Imps were relegated from the League for the third time in 1920 and for the third time the club bounced straight back the following season after winning the Midland Combination League again. This time however the club became founder members of the new Third Division (North). Relative stability followed for the next decade until the club won their first major(ish) honour, the Third Division (North) Championship in 1932, and were promoted to Division Two. As sure as night follows day however, they were relegated back down to the Third Division (North) the very next season.

More yo-yoing between the divisions followed until 1961 when the Imps left the Second Division for the final time to date, but not in the way they would want, heading down to Division Three. A year later and the club found themselves in the Fourth Division following a second successive relegation. They were to stay in the basement for a further 14 years, until the appointment of a certain Graham Taylor to his first managerial role. Taylor and the Imps won the Division Four title in 1975, Taylor then moving on to Watford where he took that club all the way to Division One......... what might have been if he'd stayed at Sincil Bank? Alas, Lincoln went in the opposite direction and were relegated back down to the basement in 1979.

1987 saw the club at it's lowest point since the early years of the century when for a record fourth time they were relegated out of the Football League entirely after finishing bottom of the Fourth Division. In retrospect however their time in the Conference gave the club a new lease of life - playing in front of record crowds and remaining full-time in a league at the time composed entirely of part-time teams, Lincoln bounced back yet again the next season, winning the Conference title and promotion. They've remained in the football league basement since, apart from one season in Division Two after finishing third in 1998. Yep, typically they were relegated immediately.

Lincoln are managed by Keith Alexander, a familiar face with Conference fans after his time with Northwich Victoria. For the last two seasons they've reached the play-offs, in 2002-03 the Final. With a team in the main made up of free transfers and players plucked out of non-league football Alexander has done a tremendous job there. Last year football was shocked when Alexander was hit by a life threatening illness completely out of the blue. For a while it seemed touch and go, and messages of goodwill and support poured in from all quarters of the game. Thankfully he made a full recovery and is back at the helm at Sincil Bank.

Although Lincoln have a bit of a reputation for playing long ball they are not just a kick and rush team, and the two matches against the Glovers were hard fought, the second something of a classic that will be remembered as one of the matches of the season by Yeovil fans. After a 3-1 victory at Huish Park at the end of November Yeovil were due to go to Sincil last game of the season. On that day three teams were scrapping for two play-off places. Lincoln were home and dry providing they didn't lose by five, but Yeovil had to better Northampton's result. After a goalless first period Yeovil took the lead, and when news came through that Mansfield had equalised against Northampton, and the Glovers then hit a second, for sixteen glorious minutes a play-off place was on the cards. However Northampton retook the lead, and as Yeovil threw everything into attack for an impossible three more goals Lincoln fought back and scored in the 82nd and 87th minutes. Still the Glovers would not lie down, and with a minute left on the clock Gavin Williams smacked in a free kick from twenty-five yards. But news of a second Mansfield equaliser never came........
Last game of this campaign Lincoln visit Huish Park - pray it's done and dusted before then as the heart won't take another game like the one at Sincil Bank.

Prediction corner:
Once again Alexander hasn't done anything spectacular in the transfer market, but once again we believe he'll be putting out a well organised, hard working, gutsy side that will be tough to beat. This particular Lincoln outfit know exactly what it takes to get to the play-offs, and we'll go with them getting there for the third time in a row, in 5th.

Ticket Prices : adults £16 (£1 reduction to £15 for category B fixtures), over 60's, 16/17-year-olds and students £11, under 16's £5. Away fans are generally housed in blocks 1-3 of the Co-op Community Stand, capacity 1,943, all seated.

Disabled Info : 30 parking spaces reserved for wheelchair users and a further 114 parking spaces for orange/blue badge holders within the stadium grounds behind the Stacey West Stand. Away wheelchair users positioned in the Mundy Stand with home wheelchair users, 72 in total. 'Basic' toilet and catering facilities available. Ambulant disabled people/other disabilities catered for on request. Entry is free for disabled people, £6 for assistants. You are advised to book your parking space/ticket beforehand, phoning 01522 880011 at least 2 days in advance of the game. Fran Martin is the contact name at the club.

From the South
Take the A1 or A46 for the City Centre then along the High Street before taking a right into Scorer Street followed by another right into Cross Street looking for the signs to the ground.

From the East
Take the A46 or the A158 into the City Centre following the signs for Newark(A46) along the High Street then turn left into Scorer Street followed by another left into Cross Street looking for the signs to the ground.

From the North & West
Take the A15 or A57 into the City Centre following the signs for Newark(A46) along the High Street then turn left into Scorer Street followed by another left into Cross Street looking for the signs to the ground.

Parking
As with most town-centre grounds parking is problematic. There is limited parking behind the Stacey West Stand at £4.00 for those that arrive early enough. Otherwise it's on-street.

By Rail

All trains for Lincoln stop at the Lincoln Central railway station (0345 484950 for train times). A taxi from the station to the ground should cost approximately £2.50. Alternatively pedestrians turn left along St.Mary's Street and walk a short distance to a busy crossroads with a church on the left-hand corner. Turn left into the High Street and walk quite a way along the High Street until you reach Scorer Street. Take a right into Scorer Street followed by another right into Cross Street again looking for the signs to the ground.

By Bus

The bus station is around 100 yards from the railway station. Buses 1, 1D, 7, 7A, 13, 14, 24A, 27, 27A, 601 and SB4 all run along the High St to South Park roundabout. Get off at Campions Garage, walk to the roundabout turning left. Next left is Sincil Bank.

Called the Centre Spot and located behind South Park Stand. Serves Mansfield Smooth amongst other things, and the hot pork rolls are reported good.
Inside the ground the fare includes pies, burgers, and Lincolnshire sausage or bacon rolls.

General Area :

The main area for pubs is the High Street (and its offshoots), with a host of outlets along its (considerable) length. Quite a number are detailed below, but there are many others including representatives of the Walkabout, Yates' and Revolution chains for those that like that sort of thing. According to the locals the best chippy in the area is the King Neptune Fish Bar which is on the High Street. Most of the national fast food chains are represented along it too.

Local Pubs :

City Vaults: Large fairly standard two room pub about five minutes or so from the ground. Obviously gets fairly busy on matchdays with home fans. No reputation for trouble in the past but suggestions that an 'element' has moved in more recently, so maybe better passing it by. Food is of the 'pub grub' type, the service is reasonably quick, and there are often '2 for a fiver' offers. Has table football.
City Vaults, 105, High Street, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN5 7QB. Tel: 01522 521035. Map:Click Here.

Forum: Modern style Wetherspoon towards the southern edge of the city centre a mile or so from the ground. Children allowed. If Wetherspoon is your thing the Ritz (below) is closer to Sincil Bank.
Forum, 13-14, Silver Street, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN2 1DY. Tel: 01522 518630. Map:Click Here.

George & Dragon: Traditional type of boozer, claimed to be friendly. Another pub around five minutes from the stadium.
George & Dragon, 100, High Street, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN5 7QG. Tel: 01522 520924. Map:Click Here.

Golden Eagle: Close to the Reindeer Hotel (see below) and less than ten minutes walk to the stadium. The lounge has football memorabilia, the bar TV and pub games. Beers are Bateman XB and Everard's Beacon and Tiger, plus differing guests. Cider is usually available. Good standard pub fare is served. Has own parking.
Golden Eagle, 21, High Street, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN5 8BD. Tel: 01522 521058. Map:Click Here.

Grand Hotel: Right opposite Lincoln Central for those arriving by train, and less than a mile from Sincil Bank. This is a very up-market hotel but they should let you in the Tudor Bar for a pint of Bass or one of the guest beers whilst you are waiting for a train, providing your only understanding of 'posh' isn't that she takes it up the ........... Opening is 11.00 a.m. - 3.00 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. - 11.00 p.m.
Grand Hotel, St Mary's Street, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN5 7EP. Tel: 01522 524211. Map:Click Here.

Lord Tennyson: Close to the centre of the city, so about a mile and a half from the ground. Opening is 11.00 a.m. - 3.00 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. - 11.00 p.m. Traditional pub with one bar serving two drinking and one dining areas. Food available lunchtimes and evenings. The beers are Bass, Greene King IPA, Tetley Bitter and one guest. Has a pool table, darts and its own parking.
Lord Tennyson, 72 Rasen Lane, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN1 3HD. Tel: 01522 889262. Map:Click Here.

Morning Star: Most old-fashioned pub in Lincoln, unchanged for decades, situated a few minutes walk from the cathedral. Beers are Bass, Ruddles Best, Abbot, Tetley and Bombardier plus one guest. Food is available at lunchtimes and there's a family area. Pub games include shut-the-box (you ask me!) and table skittles. Believe it or not there's even a pub pianist on a Saturday night. Has its own limited parking. Opening 11-11.
Morning Star, 11 Greetwell Gate, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN2 4AW. Tel: 01522 527079. Map:Click Here.

Peacock Inn: An old coaching inn situated between the cathedral, hospital and prison. Renowned in the area for its food, available between noon and 9.00 p.m., it is generally very busy and booking is advisable. Beers are from Hardy's & Hansons Brewery of Nottingham. The main bar has an open fire, live sports on the TV and darts. Children are welcome and there's a beer garden and own car park. Opening is 11.30 a.m. - 11.00 p.m.
Peacock Inn, 23, Wragby Road, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN2 5SH. Tel: 01522 524703. Map:Click Here.

Portland: A fairly recently refurbished pub, but retaining the feel and customer base of a traditional 'local', on a route from the old city centre and the railway station to Sincil Bank. Five minutes walk from the stadium. The two regular beers were Bateman XB and John Smith's Bitter. There are additionally up to five guests, including a mild. There were two excellent draught ciders on our first visit but not the second time - because of the different time of year perhaps? - as well as two keg versions. The public bar has a pool table and dart board. Children are welcome (a notice on the door said over-14s, but we had no issues with some in our party a few years younger than that) whilst food is being served, which is 12.00 - 2.00 p.m. lunchtimes and 5.00 p.m. - 7.30 p.m. evenings. The menu was limited to pub grub type items, but it was all well prepared and freshly cooked. There is a tiny carpark, with spaces for six, but the friendly landlord was happy for us to leave ours there through the match. Opening is 11-11.
Portland, 50, Portland Street, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN5 7JX. Tel: 01522 560564. Map:Click Here.

Reindeer Hotel: Now part of Enterprise Inns Britain's biggest Pubco with 9,000 outlets, but one that has retained its landlord of many years, not brought in a manager. In the High Street running parallel to Sincil Bank and a ten minute walk to the ground. Has a lounge bar, and public bar with juke box and TV, and a further room off for pool. Own parking. Opening is noon to 11.00 p.m.
Reindeer Hotel, 8 High Street, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN5 8BG. Tel: 01522 520024. Map:Click Here.

Ripon Arms: Right on the Sincil Bank itself, and a few hundred yards from the ground of the same name. Very much a 'local' style pub.
Ripon Arms, 33-34, Monson Street, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN5 7RZ. Tel: 01522 531687. Map:Click Here.

Ritz: Second Wetherspoon in the city (see Forum above), close by the Portland (see above), so again about ten minutes walk from the ground. Usual format of this chain. Allows children but only in the non-smoking area. Has been known to close ahead of high profile matches. Better selection of beers than the majority of Wetherspoon outlets, but even worse staff - and on average Wetherspoon's staff are pretty poor. The staff here were ungracious, surly and incompetent. I suppose working in a Wetherspoon is to the pub trade what working in MacDonalds is to catering. On the bright side the likely turn over means they'll not be there if there's a next time.
Ritz, 143-147, High Street, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN5 7PJ. Tel: 01522 512103. Map:Click Here.

Sippers: Convenient for the railway and bus stations. Opening is a rather odd (for anyone under about 35 - all opening times used to be as complicated as this and differ in every pub, so thank your lucky stars!) 11.00 a.m. - 2.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. (but not until 7.00 p.m. on Saturdays) - 11.00 p.m., 11-11 on Fridays, and 7.30 p.m. - 10.30 p.m. on Sundays. Directors, Old Speckled Hen, Pedigree and John Smith's Bitter are the beers, with guests. Meals are served at lunchtimes and in the evening until 8.00 p.m.
Sippers, 26 Melville Street, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN5 7HW. Tel: 01522 527612. Map:Click Here.

Tap & Spile: Towards the southern edge of the old city centre and a mile from the stadium. A drinkers pub (no food) with rotating range of beers. Open plan but divided into bar, lounge and no-smoking sections.
Tap & Spile, 21, Hungate, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN1 1ES. Tel: 01522 534015. Map:Click Here.

The Travellers Rest: Closest pub to the stadium at a few minutes walk. One of the few to the east of the stadium (most are west and / or north). No further details.
The Travellers Rest, 119, Canwick Road, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN5 8EY. Tel: 01522 880042. Map:Click Here.

The Victoria:Tynemill pub (a small chain we'd heartily recommend from previous experience) next to the castle, so just under a mile and a half from Sincil Bank. Eight ales are on at any one time, with a cider (Westons or Biddenden) as well. Bateman XB and Taylor Landlord are the 'house' beers. Food is lunchtimes, with the large 'late breakfast' served on Saturdays good value for money. The pub runs two beer festivals a year. Wheelchair friendly. The Tynemill outlets we know of have a strict no children policy.
The Victoria, 6 Union Road, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN1 3BJ. Tel: 01522 536048. Map:Click Here.

Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You :

They're dangerously close to Boston but don't worry, not so close that they're not part of civilisation anymore. Unlike at York Street they do speak English at Sincil Bank.

Top-Tip :

An occasional chorus of 'We hate Boston and we hate Boston' etc should ensure Lincoln's fans are friends for life.

The history of the settlement at Lincoln goes back well over 2,000 years and the place is well worth a visit. The city is dominated by the gothic cathedral, but other points of interest include Roman and Norman remains as well as more modern attractions - click here for more information.

[No responsibilty is taken for any inaccuracies. This page is entirely the product of bias and prejudice.]